Protein improves body's fight

Monash University scientists have discovered how a single protein could dramatically improve the body's ability to fight viruses such as the flu.

A study, published in the January edition of Nature Immunology, identified a protein found naturally in the body may be the secret weapon scientists have been looking for in the fight against infectious diseases such as the flu and hepatitis.

Monash Institute of Medical Research (MIMR) led the collaborative study that discovered how the protein, SOCS1, is involved in the body's defence system, and could be manipulated to become a powerful anti-viral drug.

"SOCS1 acts like a switch that tells the body when to inhibit interferon; a protein produced as part of the body's normal immune response," said MIMR Post-Doctoral scientist and lead author, Dr Jennifer Fenner.

"Our discovery means we can now manipulate the relationship between SOCS1 and interferon, and eventually target specific diseases," she said. "This could improve resistance to infections, reduce complications of inflammatory diseases and improve vaccinations."

Professor Paul Hertzog, Director of MIMR's Centre for functional Genomics and Disease, said the discovery could have implications for a wide range of diseases for which there are no cures.

"Although it will be about 10 years before any drugs are available, we're already working with biotechnology company Zenyth (formally Amrad) to develop potential therapies, including vaccines, based on our research," he said. "As SOCS1 is produced by most cells in the body it has the potential to become a generic treatment for a range of infectious and inflammatory diseases and possibly even cancer."

Item provided courtesy of Monash University